Habitat suitability index models: Grey heron nesting in Zhalong National Nature Reserve

Abstract

Grey heron (Ardea cimerca) is one kind of the great birds which are often seen in the northeast marsh area of P.R.China, and there are many grey herons to reproduce in Zhalong Nature Reserve from March to August annually. In this paper, through the investigation of the grey heron’s nesting habitat and according to the water depth, vegetation type, cover density and plant height of the nesting place, the grey heron’s nesting habitat suitability index models are established. The main model is s=(s₁×s₂×s₃×s₄)^1/4, where s₁ is the water depth suitability index, S₂ is the vegetation type suitability index, S₃ is the cover density index, S₄ is the plant height suitability index. These models provide a kind of reliable method for evaluating the habitat quality of the grey heron’s nesting.

References

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